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The device is designed so that the current is interrupted in a fraction of a second, greatly
reducing the chances of a dangerous electric shock being received.
The test button (8) allows the correct operation of the device to be verified by passing a small
current through the orange test wire (9). This simulates a fault by creating an imbalance in the
sense coil. If the RCD does not trip when this button is pressed then the device must be replaced.
Three-phase example
For a three-phase variant all live conductors and the neutral must pass through the current
transformer.
In most countries, not all circuits in a home are protected by RCDs. If a single RCD is installed
for an entire electrical installation, any fault will cut all power to the premises. Normal practice
in domestic installations in the UK[citation needed] was to use a single RCD for all RCD
protected circuits but to have some circuits that are not protected at all (sockets usually are on the
RCD; lamp holders usually aren't; other circuits vary by who installed the system). Regulation
introduced in 2008 dictate that on all new electrical installations in the UK, all circuits must be
protected by an RCD[citation needed] however, this does not affect existing installations.
GFI receptacles in the USA have connections to protect downstream receptacles so that all
outlets on a circuit may be protected by one GFI outlet.